Anaya sat on the edge of her bed, her chest rising and falling unevenly as silent sobs wracked her body. Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks, her vision blurring as she tried to wipe them away with trembling fingers. The lump in her throat made it hard to breathe, and no matter how much she swallowed, it refused to go away.
Her mother stormed into the room, the sharp sound of her heels clicking against the floor making Anaya flinch.
"Yeh nije kya baatameezi kar rahi thi tum?" Her mother's voice was sharp, filled with anger.
Anaya blinked in confusion, struggling to understand.
"Chaldi chalo, aur sabko sorry kehke aao" her mother ordered, pointing toward the door, her face with frustration.
Anaya's lips parted in disbelief. She clenched the bedsheet beneath her fingers, her nails digging into the fabric. "Ammi, aapko nahi dikhta zyadti mere saath hui hai? Pehle Dadajaan, phir Bhai... aap phir Abbu—" Her voice broke on the last word, and she shut her eyes, trying to hold herself together. But the moment she uttered "Abbu" a fresh wave of tears betrayed her, spilling down her face faster than she could wipe them away.
This is what happened when you scolded a papa ki pari.
Her mother exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Anaya, tum chhoti ho, isliye tum sorry kahogi."
Anaya furiously wiped her face with the back of her hand, her breath hitching. Her eyes, still glistening, burned with defiance.
"Ammi, main sorry nahi kahungi" she whispered, her voice trembling yet firm. "Sorry woh kahenge jinhone mere saath galat kiya, zyadti ki."
Her mother's expression darkened. "Main na tumhe chappal se marungi!" she snapped.
Before Anaya could respond, a voice interrupted them.
"Bari Ammi."
Both turned to see Azaan standing at the doorway. His gaze flickered between them, sensing the tension in the air.
"Aapko Dadijaan bula rahe hain" he said as he stepped inside.
Her mother shot Anaya one last glare. "Tum hi samjhao iss ladki ko! Do din baad iski shaadi hai aur yeh—" She stormed out, her voice fading down the hall.
Anaya exhaled shakily, pressing the heels of her palms against her swollen eyes.
She barely had time to recover before Azaan spoke again.
"Yeha kyun aaye ho?" she said bitterly, her voice still thick with emotion. "Mujhe taana dene? Niklo yahan se."
Ignoring her, Azaan calmly shut the door—though he didn't lock it. He walked over to her study table, pulled out a chair, and sat in front of her.
For a moment, he simply looked at her. His expression was unreadable but his gaze was steady, taking in the tear-streaked face, the way her shoulders shook slightly as she tried to regain control.
"Tum kabse rone lag gayi ho?" he asked softly.
Anaya met his eyes and just like that, the dam inside her broke again. The tears she had fought so hard to control slipped out once more.
She sucked in a shuddering breath. "Mujhe yeh sab daily ke drama achhe nahi lagte, yaar" she admitted, her voice hoarse with exhaustion. "Bachpan se dekhte aa rahi hoon... it's suffocating me now."
" Yeh hi toh ek moment hai, jab family ek saath hoti hai , tum ek time jaake yeh sab miss karoge " Azaan said, leaning back in his chair. His tone was calm, almost nonchalant, as if this entire situation didn't weigh on him the way it did on her.
